News & Insights

Trip and Fall Accidents and Premises Liability in California

It happens all the time. Someone is walking along, minding their business, when they stumble upon an unexpected change in the surface on which they are strolling. Literally. When this happens and they cannot regain their balance, they may end up in a heap, in a world of hurt, or both.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 1 million Americans are injured when they slip or trip and fall each year. Of these, more than 17, 000 people succumb to their injuries.

Keep reading to learn more about trip and fall injuries, and
possible legal recourse if you or someone you love has been hurt in a trip and
fall accident in California.

Indoor and outdoor tripping hazards

The CDC splits slip, trip and fall accidents into two groups based on where they happen. These are officially identified as same-level falls and elevated falls. However, these accidents could also be classified as indoor and outdoor falls. Tripping hazards could also be identified accordingly.

The mechanics of and injuries resulting from trip and fall accidents

Experts say trip and fall accidents usually happen while the foot is moving forward and a disruption brings this so-called “swing” to an abrupt halt. The result is either a minor stumble or a more significant loss of balance. Either way, the person who has tripped usually falls forward and often ends up with injuries to their upper extremities, head or knees.

Suing someone if you were injured in a trip and fall accident

If you are hurt when you tripped and fell on someone’s property, you may be wondering if you can sue someone, and if so, whom. The answer is, it depends. Under California law, you may have a viable premises liability case if you can prove that:

The person who owns, rents, occupies, or is
otherwise responsible for the property where you were hurt;

Did not take reasonable steps to keep the
property free from hazards; and

That he or she failed to take reasonable step to
identify and remedy any unsafe conditions; or

Provide adequate warning about any hazards.

You must also prove that this negligence caused or
contributed to the accident in which you were hurt.

The type of compensation you may seek will depend on the
specific circumstances of your case. In general, you may be able to seek
compensation for the following losses:

Pain and suffering

Loss of past and future income due to the inability
to work

Emotional distress

Past and future medical expenses

Something else is to keep in mind is that there are strict deadlines for taking legal action after a trip and fall accident. In most cases, this is two years from the time you were hurt. There are exceptions, however. For example, you have six months in which to file an administrative claim if you are suing a government agency. On the other hand, if you were still a minor when you were hurt, the deadline for initiating a lawsuit will not apply until you turn 18.

As always, we are here to help. To learn more about your
options if you were injured in a trip and fall accident, contact the legal team
at LawPLA, today.